Changes in Your Body During Pregnancy: Third Trimester

What changes can I expect in the third trimester?

The third trimester is the “home stretch” of your pregnancy. As your baby grows, your body will feel even more awkward and heavy. Everyday things—like getting out of bed or standing up from a chair—will require extra effort.

The tiredness you felt early in pregnancy may return. Making time for naps is a good idea. You might also start to feel more emotional as you prepare for labor, delivery, and parenthood.

The good news is you will enjoy feeling your baby move. The “nesting instinct” may kick in, and you may feel a need to clean the house and make final preparations for bringing your baby home. Take it slowly so you don’t wear yourself out.

Will sleeping be difficult?

As you get bigger, you might have difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position and find it harder to change positions. Side sleeping will be best. Sleeping on your left side helps blood circulation, which is important for the baby.

Sleeping on your back will be uncomfortable because the weight of your baby presses on the veins in your lower back. This can slow the blood flow from the lower body to the heart. Just remember to try and fall asleep on your left side when you go to bed. If you wake up, return to that position before going back to sleep. Putting a pillow between your knees or behind your back may make you feel more comfortable.

Other things that disrupt sleep may include:

Leg cramps, which may be related to the pressure your uterus puts on the nerves and blood vessels that go to your legs.

Restless legs syndrome, in which you feel a need to move your legs often because of an unpleasant feeling in them.

Heartburn, the burning feeling in your lower chest, which may get worse as your uterus takes up more space, pushing your stomach out of its usual position. Ask your doctor if you can take an antacid, if needed.

Nasal congestion, caused by increased blood flow to the mucous membranes in the nose and mouth.

Your baby’s movements.

The need to urinate, which will increase as the baby grows and changes position.

Strange dreams, which some women have in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Will I still want to have sex?

You might lose the desire for sex, partly because of your size and partly because you are focused more on getting ready for labor, delivery, and parenthood. But it’s still fine to have sex, unless your doctor has told you not to.

What else might I notice in the third trimester?

Varicose veins. These are bluish, swollen, sometimes painful veins beneath the surface of the skin. They often show up on the backs of the calves or the inside of the legs.

Hemorrhoids. These are varicose veins in the rectum. They may stick out of the anus and cause itching, pain, and sometimes bleeding. Ask your doctor about taking a stool softener (not a laxative) if you have not been doing so already.

Causes include:

Puffiness. Slowed blood circulation and holding onto fluid are to blame for swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, hands, and face.

If swelling in your hands and face becomes extreme—especially if it also includes headache, blurred vision, dizziness, and belly pain—call your doctor. These may be signs of a dangerous condition called preeclampsia.

Tingling and numbness. The swelling in your body may press on nerves, causing tingling and numbness in the legs, arms, and hands. The skin on your belly may feel numb because it is so stretched out.

Tingling and numbness in the hands usually occurs because of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by pressure on a nerve within the wrist. An easy way to get rid of some of these symptoms is to wear “wrist splints” at night when you are sleeping. The good news is, the problem usually ends after pregnancy.

Aching back, pelvis, and hips. This may have started in the second trimester. The stress on your back will increase as your belly grows larger. Your hips and pelvic area may hurt as pregnancy hormones relax the joints between the pelvic bones in preparation for childbirth. Sleeping with a pillow behind your back may help with the pain.

Abdominal pain. The muscles and ligaments (tough, ropelike bands of tissue) that support the uterus will continue to stretch as your baby grows, and they may be painful.

Shortness of breath. As your uterus grows upward, your lungs will have less room to expand for breathing. You may find yourself huffing and puffing more.

More breast growth. Your nipples may leak a yellowish liquid, called colostrum. If you breastfeed, this fluid will be your baby’s first food.

Vaginal discharge. Discharge may increase toward the end of your pregnancy. If you have any fluid leaking or see any blood, call your doctor immediately.

Less fetal movement. As your baby continues to grow, he or she starts running out of room to move around in your uterus, so you might notice fewer movements throughout the day. If you’re concerned about the lack of movement, call your doctor.

Pressure that your growing uterus puts on the large veins behind it, which slows blood circulation.

Pregnancy hormones, which cause the walls of veins to relax and possibly swell.

Constipation, which makes you strain to pass hard bowel movements.

Increased fluid retention.

What are signs that labor might start soon?

Your baby will probably change position, with his or her head moving down in your pelvis. People might notice your belly is lower and say that you have “dropped.”

Your cervix (the lower end of your uterus) will begin to thin (effacement) and open (called dilation).

Braxton Hicks contractions (tightening of your uterine muscles) may happen more often and become stronger.

You may have a constant backache and cramping, diarrhea, and gas before labor begins.

How will I know if I’m in labor?

If your contractions seem to be happening in a regular pattern, and if the time between contractions starts getting shorter and shorter, you’re probably in labor. True labor contractions are usually more painful than Braxton Hicks contractions. If your contractions are so painful that you can’t talk, call your doctor.

Your “water” breaking is another sign of the beginning of labor. This is caused by a tear in the sac that encloses your baby and the releasing of fluid. Call your doctor or go to the hospital if you think this has happened. However, for many women, the water doesn’t break until contractions start.

Talk to your doctor about the signs of labor. He or she will tell you what to expect and when to call or go to the hospital.